All's Quiet on the Carlos Boozer Front Now, but These Teams May Jazz Up Interest

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Why hasn’t Carlos Boozer generated more buzz around the league?

Throughout his career, Boozer has never been known as a loyal person.  The Cavaliers realized this when Booz accepted a slightly heftier contract to sign in Utah. 

Yes, Boozer could have started a dynasty in Cleveland alongside James. Probably would have even won a title or two there.  He decided to go where the dollars were and Utah "showed him the money" (tangent alert: when was the last time somebody used a Jerry Maguire reference...2001?).

Boozer is not a very durable athlete.  He only played in more than 75 games twice in his seven-year career.  Boozer may also just be a productive player because of the Jazz system.  Jerry Sloan tends to get the most out of his players’ abilities, and Boozer could be no exception. 

The Jazz' current lineup also fits Booz like a glove.  You have an outside shooting center (Okur) to space the floor for him to maneuver down-low. There's a point guard that will feed him the ball anytime he’s open (D-Will), strong help defense (AK47), and a good backup that can give him extended rest (Millsap).  There’s no question that the aforementioned items have helped Boozer become the player that he is in Utah.

Despite all of this, Boozer is still a premier big man in this league.  Only one power forward in the last three seasons has averaged more rebounds per game than Boozer (Tim Duncan).  There’s no question that Boozer is a beast and can be an extreme boost for many teams hoping to contend. 

So why, when Utah is actively shopping Boozer, does it seem that only a few clubs are interested?

Here are a couple teams that should be champing on the bit to acquire the former Duke standout.

Washington Wizards

The Wizards made it painfully obvious prior to the draft that they were shopping the fifth pick. After being part of Amar'e Stoudemire and, perhaps to a lighter extent, Chris Bosh rumors, the Wizards eventually traded their first-round pick in a deal to acquire Randy Foye and Mike Miller from Minnesota. 

Needless to say, this should be a disappointing move to many fans, especially since Ricky Rubio, a highly valued asset, was available at five.

Tangent alert!  Who did Wizards management think was not going to be there at five that they decided to make the Minny deal for prior to the draft?  In fact, any possibility prior to the draft of someone who had fallen to five (i.e. Rubio, Thabeet, Harden, Evans and even Curry) would have warranted far greater trade value than what the Wizards received in return.

Regardless of their draft trade blunder, the Wizards are still in fine shape to make a move for Boozer. 

Washington has already shown they are in win-now mode: They hired Flip Saunders (someone you hire for a contender, e.g. Detroit), they dealt the fifth pick in the draft, they haven’t given/ promised any of their youth (notably Young and McGee) consistent starters’ minutes, and have three veterans locked up for quite some time (Arenas, Jamison, and Butler).

Boozer would be an ideal fit at the four slot for this team.  Washington is perimeter heavy with Arenas, Jamison, and Butler looking to operate offensively around the arch, not to mention Foye, Young, and Miller off the bench doing much of the same. 

Boozer would be that anchor inside for them.  He could give Washington far more balance in their offense, forcing defenses to pay for doubling him with the aforementioned players hovering around the perimeter.

Personnel-wise, the Wizards also have a plethora of youth and favorable contracts to entice Utah.  Mike James and Mike Miller are both expiring contracts, and Nick Young, Randy Foye, JaVale McGee, Javaris Crittenton, Dominic McGuire, and Andray Blatche are just some of the young, expendable pieces Washington can offer in a trade.

Washington could offer the following proposal to acquire Boozer:

Andray Blatche, Nick Young, and Mike James for Carlos Boozer. 

The Jazz could have two nice young super subs at the wing and big slots off the bench who can further improve the future scope of this team. 

Meanwhile for Washington, they could start Arenas/Stevenson/Butler/Boozer/Haywood with Foye/Miller/McGuire/Jamison/McGee off the bench...can you say contender?

Washington may be reluctant to make a move for Boozer because of 2010 free agency.  If they do acquire Boozer, that would mean they will likely forgo the opportunity to land a more premier free agent such as Bosh or Stoudemire.

Two items that should dispel the above notion:

First, Boozer can actually be a better fit in Washington than either Bosh or Stoudemire.  Bosh operates mainly from the high post and requires more isolated options in the offense.  With the perimeter heavy Wizards, a low post option could be more effective. With Arenas and Butler, Washington does not need another player who requires isolation plays ran for him. 

Second, does Washington management really believe it will sign Stoudemire or Bosh?  Among the teams that will have ample cap room in 2010, why would either choose to sign in Washington over, say, Miami, New York, or even Chicago? 

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